 | Something about the City, and not any city… But New York. Let's just say the Bronx to be precise. I mean how can I not love the noises, the squeaks, and the rattles of the train above the streets?The racket you say? Nah, how about the melody that use to lull me to sleep? Scare of the dark? That'll be ma. But I'll tell you whatever since I can remember, I've never needed a night- light plugged in beside my bed. For the lights of the cars passing by, or the street lamp on the corner of my block, was always enough to shine through my room, scaring my monsters away. How can I not love where I'm from? Like some people, who it's the only place they've ever known they'll tell you the same thing.
But me on the other hand, I've met the hills and the woods. The lakes, mountains, and even the small town places where everybody knows your name even if you don't know theirs. Those places are great too. Don't get me wrong. I mean you wouldn't believe what lies beyond the tall apartment buildings, and the high billboards. Pass those way up there train tracks, and the high highways. Places to go when the lullaby gets too loud. But I'm tell you another thing, there's no greater feeling than coming back home. Hearing the roars 10 blocks passed 161 and Yankee Stadium a sign that the Yanks pulled off yet another win.
I'm talking about a place where after I've turned off my stereo, and stepped outside, the sound of old school salsa and merengue, and hip-hop are playing out of the windows of the buildings on the opposite sides of the street. So instead of walking up the block, I'm dancing and singing to a beat. It's a place where one of the 2-3 bodegas on the block is still opened for a snack attack at 2 in the morning. It's where this Latin lady got her shape. And yeah I do think it's in the water. Or it could very well be that ma and pop just knew how to groove!
I love walking by any block and seeing my Boriquen flag flying off the telephone wires. Blocks that tells the story of our people. You see- there's something about the city. There's more to the city than just a lot of people and bright lights. Straight up the ghetto will show you (willingly or not), all the raw and gruesome sides to life that nobody in "higher society" wants to think about. The Upper East Side shows you that there is a way to make it to higher ground, with hope. For myself- I stand in the very heart of it all. For the reason that I don't forget where I came from, and so that I'll remember it'll all be worth it when I rise above higher grounds with a little more than just hope.
I leave you with this... My home is beautiful, and sitting here on this stoop on 204th and Jerome, letting the rumbles of the 4 train give me my inspiration, know that there is no other place I'd rather be than My City, My Home, My Bronx!
Written by Jennie M.
Submitted by Jennie M. |  |
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